We believe that "all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16).  We understand this to mean that the whole Bible is inspired by the Word of God whereby holy men of God "were moved by the Holy Spirit," (2 Peter 1:21) to write the Scripture.  We believe that this divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of Scripture as it appeared in the original manuscripts.  We believe that the whole Bible in the originals therefore is without error.  We believe that all Scripture is centered around the Lord Jesus Christ in His person and work, in His first and second coming, and hence that no portion, even of the Old Testament, is properly read or understood until it leads to Him.  We also believe that all Scripture was designed for our practical instruction.

 

Luke 24:27, 44; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11

 

The Triune God

We believe that there is only one true and living God, the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer and Ruler of all things.  He is infinite, eternal, unchangeable, and is revealed to us as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  These are co-equal and are one God.  

 

God the Father

God, as Father, reigns over His entire universe with providential care.  He is all-powerful, all loving, all knowing, and all wise.  He is fatherly in attitude toward all men, but is Father indeed, to those who have become children of God through Jesus Christ, who will deliver them into the Father's hands.

 

Genesis 1:1, 1 Chronicles 29:10, Jeremiah 10:10; Matthew 6:9; Acts 1:7; Romans 8:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 4:6

 

God the Son 

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, became man without ceasing to be God and redeem sinful man.  This redemption He accomplished by voluntarily giving Himself as a sinless, substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, thereby satisfying God's righteous judgement against sin.  After substaining the accomplisment of that redemption/justification by His bodily resurrection from the grave, He ascended to the right hand of His Father whre He intercedes on behalf of those who trust Him.

 

Isaiah 9:6; Luke 1:34; John 1:1, 2, 14, 18; Romans 3:24-26; Romans 8:34; Titus 2:13

 

God the Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Person who convicts each person of sin (righteousness and judgement).  He alone brings new life to those who are spiritually dead.  He baptizes (or places) all believers into the one true Church, which is the Body of Christ; that He indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of final redemption, bestows spiritual gifts upon them, fills (controls) those who are yielding to Him.  Every believer is called to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit that He will not fulfill the lust of the flesh but will bear fruit to the glory of God.

 

John 3:3-8; John 14:16, 17; John 16:7-11, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 13; Ephesians 4:30; Ephesians 5:18

 

Creation

We believe that man was created directly by and in the image of God.  We believe that God created the heavens and the earth, including all life by direct act. 

 

Genesis 1:1; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16, 17

 

The Fall of Man

Although man was created in the image of God, he fell into sin and is lost; this is true of all men, and except a man be born again by the Holy Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

 

Genesis 1:26, 27; John 3:3; Romans 3:10, 23

 

Atonement for Sin

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe on Him are redeemed by His shed blood.  We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in His ascension into heaven.  He is our High Priest and Advocate.

 

John 1:1-3, 14; John 3:1-7, 16; Hebrews 10:4-14; 1 John 2:2

 

Salvation

We believe that salvation is the gift of God's grace.  It cannot be gained or made more secure by meritorious works, but is freely bestowed upon all that put their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ at Calvary.  All who trust the Savior are forgiven of their sins and born into the family of God by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. 

 

John 1:12; Acts 16:30-33; Romans 10:9, 10; Ephesians 1:7; Ephesians 2:8, 9

 

The Christian Walk

We believe that we are called with a holy calling, to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, and to live in the power of the indwelling Spirit that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  We must choose to keep the flesh in subjection to Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit or it will surely manifest its presence in our lives to the dishonor of our Lord.

 

Romans 6:11-13; Romans 8:2, 4, 12, 13; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 2:1-10; 1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 1:4-7; 1 John 3:5-9

 

The Great Commission

Until the return of Christ, it is the Christians's duty to seek the fulfillment of Christ's Great Commission and to minister in His name to a needy world.  We are to be instruments of Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit ministers redemption and reconciliation in the world.

 

Matthew 25:3-46, Matthew 28:18-20

 

Baptism and the Lord's Supper

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in the water of a believer (Acts 2:41).  Baptism symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and is your public declaration that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior.  Baptism does not save you, it is a biblical command and demonstrates your love and obedience to Christ.  

 

Matthew 3:13-16; Matthew 28:19, 20; John 3:5; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27

 

The Lord's Supper is an ordinance given to all believers by Jesus Christ to remember his sacrifice for us.  The Lord's supper and baptism are inseparable.  If you feel called by the Holy Spirit to meet Christ in communion, we welcome you and will not turn anyone away from the Lord's table.

 

Matthew 26:26-30; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29

 

The Resurrection

We believe that the Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus rose from the dead.  He now exists in His glorified body at God's right hand.  There will be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked.  The bodies of the righteous will conform to the glorious spiritual body of Jesus Christ.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17